Evidence of harm : mercury in vaccines and the autism epidemic : a medical controversy

Avoiding hyperbole while writing about a possible medical catastrophe is no easy task, but David Kirby has created a fine balance of investigative and personal detail in Evidence of Harm. Combining stories from the parents of autistic children with reports, speeches and studies from researchers, pediatricians and government officials, he creates a picture that is as terrifying as anything dreamed up by Hitchcock. The topic at hand is determining whether high levels of organic mercury present in an inexpensive preservative used in vaccinations can cause either autism or autism-like symptoms. Kirby's in a delicate position, searching for the truth between frantic parents (he focuses on the founders of political action group Safe Mind) and the self-protective pharmaceutical industry (the author thanks the nameless person who placed a pro-Eli Lilly litigation rider into the Homeland Security Act of 2002). He's also honest enough of a reporter to admit to the temptation of deciding mercury is the culprit behind a range of disorders, even in light of some inconclusive test results. The ultimate truth isn't clear, and Kirby is direct about each of the reasons his sources have for their biased opinions. While some of the straight research reports will likely to go over the head of anyone not well versed in the terminology, the book is never dull--there is a continual urgency in the material that resists pedantry. However undecided the experts, readers will likely land firmly in one angry camp or the other. Jill Lightner --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. About the Author David Kirby has been a contributor to The New York Times for eight years, where he writes articles about science and health, among other subjects. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

In the 1990s reported autism cases among American children began spiking, from about 1 in 10,000 in 1987 to a shocking 1 in 166 today. This trend coincided with the addition of several new shots to the nation's already crowded vaccination schedule, grouped together and given soon after birth or in the early months of infancy. Most of these shots contained a little-known preservative called thimerosal, which includes a quantity of the toxin mercury.

Evidence of Harm explores the heated controversy over what many parents, physicians, public officials, and educators have called an "epidemic" of afflicted children. Following several families, David Kirby traces their struggle to understand how and why their once-healthy kids rapidly descended into silence or disturbed behavior, often accompanied by severe physical illness. Alarmed by the levels of mercury in the vaccine schedule, these families sought answers from their doctors, from science, from pharmaceutical companies that manufacture vaccines, and finally from the Center for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration-to no avail. But as they dug deeper, the families also found powerful allies in Congress and in the small community of physicians and researchers who believe that the rise of autism and other disorders is linked to toxic levels of mercury that accumulate in the systems of some children.

An important and troubling book, Evidence of Harm reveals both the public and unsung obstacles faced by desperate families who have been opposed by the combined power of the federal government, health agencies, and pharmaceutical giants. From closed meetings of the FDA, CDC, and drug companies, to the mysterious rider inserted into the 2002 Homeland Security Bill that would bar thimerosal litigation, to open hearings held by Congress, this book shows a medical establishment determined to deny "evidence of harm" that might be connected with thimerosal and mercury in vaccines. In the end, as research is beginning to demonstrate, the questions raised by these families have significant implications for all children, and for those entrusted to oversee our national health.

In the 1990s reported autism cases among American children began spiking, from about 1 in 10,000 in 1987 to a shocking 1 in 166 today. This trend coincided with the addition of several new shots to the nation's already crowded vaccination schedule, grouped together and given soon after birth or in the early months of infancy. Most of these shots contained a little-known preservative called thimerosal, which includes a quantity of the toxin mercury. Evidence of Harm explores the heated controversy over what many parents, physicians, public officials, and educators have called an "epidemic" of afflicted children. Following several families, David Kirby traces their struggle to understand how and why their once-healthy kids rapidly descended into silence or disturbed behavior, often accompanied by severe physical illness. Alarmed by the levels of mercury in the vaccine schedule, these families sought answers from their doctors, from science, from pharmaceutical companies that manufacture vaccines, and finally from the Center for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration-to no avail. But as they dug deeper, the families also found powerful allies in Congress and in the small community of physicians and researchers who believe that the rise of autism and other disorders is linked to toxic levels of mercury that accumulate in the systems of some children. An important and troubling book, Evidence of Harm reveals both the public and unsung obstacles faced by desperate families who have been opposed by the combined power of the federal government, health agencies, and pharmaceutical giants. From closed meetings of the FDA, CDC, and drug companies, to the mysterious rider inserted into the 2002 Homeland Security Bill that would bar thimerosal litigation, to open hearings held by Congress, this book shows a medical establishment determined to deny "evidence of harm" that might be connected with thimerosal and mercury in vaccines. In the end, as research is beginning to demonstrate, the questions raised by these families have significant implications for all children, and for those entrusted to oversee our national health. Est-ce que le mercure contenu dans les vaccins cause l'autisme? Au cours des années 1990, les cas d'autisme rapportés auprès des enfants Américains ont augmentés considérablement passant d'une proportion de 1 enfant sur 10,000 en 1987 à l'exhorbitante proportion de 1 enfant sur 166 aujourd'hui. Cette augmentation plus que considérable coïncide avec l'augmentation de doses de vaccins à travers la nation américaine, injectées aux enfants après leur naissance ou dans les premiers mois de leur vie. La majeure partie de ces vaccins contient du thimerosal comprenant une quantité de la toxine du mercure. Ce livre explore la controverse entourant l'épidémie d'autisme touchant les enfants. À partir de la situation de plusieurs familles, l'auteur décrit leur désarroi pour comprendre comment et pourquoi leur enfant en santé est-il devenu,aussi rapidement, un enfant silencieux avec des comportements excessifs et pertubateurs, souvent accompagnés de troubles de santé. Alarmées par le niveau de mercure dans les vaccins, ces familles ont obtenu des réponses de leur médecins, du milieu scientifique, des compagnies pharmaceutiques manufacturant ces vaccins et finalement, du Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration, leur indiquant de ne pas s'inquiéter. Cependant, en fouillant plus affonds, ces familles ont trouvé des alliés important au Congrès américain comme dans la communauté scientifique médicale et de la recherche, qui croient quant à eux, que l'augmentation de cas d'autisme et autres troubles envahissants du développement est reliée à l'environnement toxique du mercure qui s'accumule dans le système vitale de l'enfant. Ce livre révèle les divers obstacles qui se sont dressés devant les familles et qui sont formés par les pouvoirs d'un gouvernement fédéral, des agences sanitaires et des géants pharmaceutiques In The 1990s Reported Autism Cases Among American Children Began Spiking. This Trend Coincided With The Addition Of Several New Shots To The Nation's Already Crowded Vaccination Schedule, Grouped Together And Given In The Early Months Of Infancy. Most Of These Shots Contained The Preservative Thimerosal, Which Includes A Quantity Of The Toxin Mercury. This Book Explores The Heated Controversy Over What Many Have Called An Epidemic Of Afflicted Children. The Author Traces The Struggle Of Several Families To Understand How And Why Their Once-healthy Kids Rapidly Descended Into Silence Or Disturbed Behavior, Often Accompanied By Severe Physical Illness. Alarmed By The Levels Of Mercury In The Vaccine Schedule, These Families Sought Answers To No Avail. In The End, As Research Is Beginning To Demonstrate, The Questions Raised Have Significant Implications For All Children, And For Those Entrusted To Oversee Our National Health. Mothers On A Mission -- Injecting Fear -- Mercury Rising -- Red Flags On The Hill -- Hidden Agendas -- Safe Minds -- Mounting Evidence -- Damn Lies And Statistics -- War On Four Fronts -- Homeland Insecurity -- Proof On Both Sides -- Showdown -- Paying The Piper. David Kirby. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Title Page Table of Contents Introduction Prologue 1. Mothers on a Mission 2. Injecting Fear 3. Mercury Rising 4. Red Flags on the Hill 5. Hidden Agendas 6. Safe Minds 7. Mounting Evidence 8. Damn Lies and Statistics 9. War on Four Fronts 10. Homeland Insecurity 11. “Proof” on Both Sides 12. Showdown 13. Paying the Piper Epilogue Author’s Note NOTES Acknowledgments Index Copyright Page LYN REDWOOD KNEW she was pregnant at the first sip of white Zinfandel.